So my question is what if, unexpectedly, your son revisits those two schools and surprisingly hates them? Would he not reconsider one of the other schools and seek an opportunity to arrange another look at one of the others?
I get that you’re trying to maintain friendly terms with the others, but it seems easier to say that you really hoped they’d choose school X and how much you admired it etc. but this kid was blown away by school y at revisit. And that way you have the revisit and can be set on choice before saying no’s.
Anyways, this is our planned strategy! 